STEP 01

Open your chosen image for the effect into Photoshop, and Ctrl/right-click the Background Layer and choose Duplicate Layer. Click on the original Background Layer and go to Edit>Fill, choosing White for Contents. Return to the duplicate layer and set its Opacity to 40%. Now add a new layer.

STEP 02

First we want to make a rough trace of the main elements in the image. Choose the Brush Tool and load the Thick Heavy Brushes set from the Brush Picker. Choose the Rough Flat Bristle Brush. In the Brushes Palette (Window>Brushes) in Other Dynamics set the Opacity Control to Pen Pressure. Choose a dark brown for your Foreground Colour.

STEP 03

Use this brush at a small size to roughly trace around the main elements in the scene. This will just be a guide as you paint, as you’ll have the original photograph to refer to. If you’re not confident with drawing freehand, you’ll find a rough sketch supplied with the tutorial files, which you can copy and paste into your image.

STEP 04

When your sketch is complete, lock this layer using the small padlock in the Layers palette. Click on the photo reference layer and hide it by clicking its visibility eye in the Layers palette. Now add a new layer. In the Options Bar, change the Mode for the brush to Hard Light. Set the brush Opacity to 80% and the Flow to around 60%.

STEP 05

Choose a mid-toned bright violet colour for foreground and use the brush at a medium size to cover the canvas with short, vigorous strokes in varying direction. This is will establish the basic canvas colour.

STEP 06

Load the supplied colour swatches. Choosing dark warm browns and oranges from the swatches, start to block in the main elements in the scene using directional brush strokes. Your brush strokes need to follow the forms within the scene, such as horizontal strokes for the water.

STEP 07

Because of the way the brush is set up, repeatedly brushing over the same area will intensify both the tone and colour. Remember, we’re not painting detail here, just establishing the overall masses within the scene. Think of this stage as building the foundations of the painting. Make sure to block in the dark mass of the foliage in the upper left.

STEP 08

Add a new layer. Now we need to add some of the lighter midtone areas. Use the same brush, but change its Mode (in the Options Bar) to Overlay. With the tutorial files you’ll find a tonal sketch, showing the distribution of these lighter tones. Start on the buildings, using short strokes following the form. Use midtone oranges here.

STEP 09

At this stage, you can still keep your brush work quite loose, as we’re simply building tonality. When you’re adding the lighter tones to the water, remember to use just horizontal and vertical strokes. Add in the lighter yellows/golds for the bridge and distant buildings.